Biodiesel cold filtration process

ABSTRACT

An improved biodiesel production process includes the steps of processing a feedstock to produce biodiesel, cooling the biodiesel so as to form sediment, and filtering the biodiesel to remove the sediment. The resulting biodiesel from the cold filtration process avoids problems of sediment formation during storage and transportation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of a provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/764,440 filed Feb. 2, 2006, which application ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved process for producing biodieselfuel. More particularly, the quality of the biodiesel fuel is improvedby using a cold filtration process to remove non-methyl ester impuritiesand other contaminants, such as sterol glycosides and otherunsaponifiables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is significant interest in alternative fuels which arenon-petroleum based for many reasons, including environmental, economic,political, and other reasons. Biodiesel fuel is one alternative basedupon renewable resources. Biodiesel is a mono-alkyl ester of long chainfatty acids, such as methyl ester derived from fats and oils, andprovides lower emissions as compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel. Thecetane number, energy content, viscosity, and phase changes of biodieselare similar to petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel is derived from a transesterification chemical process whereinthe triglyceride feedstock, such as fat or vegetable oil, is processedfor conversion into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin.

The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) has developedstandards for biodiesel fuels, with the most common being D-6751. ASTMstandard D-6751 sets commercial quality specifications required forbiodiesel fuel. The D-6751 standard requires water and sediment be lessthan 0.050%, by volume, as measured by ASTM standard D-2709. However,biodiesel which meets the D-6751 ASTM standard can still containcontaminants which tend to crystallize and/or form and drop out ofsolution as sediment. When such biodiesels are used at lowertemperatures, the precipitates create problems by decreasing the fuelflow and by clogging fuel lines, filters, and other components of theengines burning the fuel.

Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provisionof a process for producing biodiesel which eliminates or minimizes theprecipitation problems of this alternative fuel.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of animproved biodiesel production process which utilizes cold filtration forremoving impurities and contaminants from the biodiesel.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of amethod for improving the quality of biodiesel by removing particulatestherefrom prior to storage or transportation.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of aprocess for cooling and filtering biodiesel for the removal of formedsediments.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of animproved biodiesel production process which removes non-methyl estersand sterol glycosides from the biodiesel.

Still another objective of the present invention is a method ofproducing biodiesel by cooling the biodiesel with one or more heatexchangers which can be quickly and easily cleaned.

These and other objectives will become apparent from the followingdescription of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved biodiesel production process of the present invention usescold filtration to remove impurities and contaminants from thebiodiesel. After the triglyceride feedstock is processed for separationinto methyl esters and glycerin, the methyl ester biodiesel is cooled toa temperature of less than about 38° C. (100° F.) so that the impuritiesand contaminants precipitate out as particulates in the biodieselliquid. Diatomaceous earth or other filtering material is then added tothe cooled biodiesel to form a slurry, which is then filtered through apressure leaf or other type of filter to remove the particulates. Thefiltered biodiesel is then run through a polish filter to remove anyremaining sediments and diatomaceous earth, so as to produce the finalbiodiesel product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of thebiodiesel production process according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of the coldfiltration step in the biodiesel production process of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a preferred process for producing improved qualitybiodiesel, including the novel cold filtration step of the presentinvention. The process includes five general steps, including thepretreatment step 10, the biodiesel production step 12, the coldfiltration step 14, the optional winterization step 16, and the optionalfractionation step 18. The pretreatment step 10, biodiesel productionstep 12, and winterization and fractionation steps 16, 18 are known inthe industry. The improved quality biodiesel is a result of the coldfiltration step 14.

The purpose of the pretreatment step 10 is to remove contaminants andimpurities, such as phospholipid gums and free fatty acids, from thetriglyceride feedstock, so as to clean up the feedstock in preparationfor the biodiesel production step 12. Conventional technology is used inthis pretreatment step 10, such as degumming, caustic refining, andsilica adsorbent filtration.

The biodiesel production step 12 converts the triglycerides into methylesters (also known as biodiesel) and glycerin. The conventionaltechnology for this production step 12 utilizes transesterificationreaction with methanol in the presence of a sodium methoxide catalyst soas to separate the methyl esters from the glycerin.

The winterization step 16 is optional, depending upon the climate inwhich the biodiesel is to be used. The purpose of winterization is toimprove the cold flow and winter performance of the fuel. Thewinterization step 16 removes saturated methyl esters, such as C16:0methyl palmitate and C18:0 methyl sterate, though such removal isindiscriminate. The winterization technology is conventional, andutilizes the crystallization of saturates by controlling the time,temperature and agitation of the biodiesel. The crystals are thenremoved by decantation and filtration.

The fractionation step 18 is also optional, depending upon thetemperatures in which the biodiesel is to be used. Fractionationimproves the cold flow and winter performance of the fuel, byselectively separating methyl esters into individual components orfractions. Conventional fractionation technology is utilized, includingurea fractionation, solvent fractionation, or thermal distillation.

The biodiesel production process of the present invention improves thequality of the biodiesel by adding the novel cold filtration step 14.The purpose of the cold filtration step 14 is to clean up the biodieselfuel by removing trace contaminants, including sterol glycosides andother unsaponifiables which are naturally present, as well as non-methylester impurities. The cold filtration step 14 generally involves coolingthe biodiesel to at least about 70° F. (about 21° C.), addingdiatomaceous earth or other adsorbent to the biodiesel to form a slurry,and filtering the slurry through a pressure leaf or other type of filterto remove solids formed during the cooling of the biodiesel.

The cold filtration step 14 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. Thebiodiesel 20 resulting from the production step 12 is first cooledthrough one or more stages 22, as indicated by arrow A. Any conventionalcooling systems can be utilized, such as heat exchangers 24. Typically,the biodiesel produced by the production step 12 is approximately 290°F. (143° C.), or more. At the end of the cooling stage or stages 22, thetemperature is preferably between about 40-100° F. (4-38° C.), withabout 65-80° F. (18-27° C.) being preferred, with a most preferredtemperature of approximately 70° F. (22° C.). For example, in oneembodiment, an economizer is used in a first cooling stage so as toreduce the temperature of the biodiesel product from approximately 290°F. (143° C.) down to approximately 200-220° F. (93-105° C.), with about210° F. (99° C.) being preferred, by transferring heat into a stripperfeed stream. In a second cooling stage, a cooling water exchanger isused to further reduce the temperature of the biodiesel product 20 fromapproximately 210° F. (99° C.) down to approximately 80-90° F. (26-33°C.), with about 85° F. (30° C.) being preferred, by transferring heatinto a cooling water recirculation loop. In a third cooling stage, achilled fluid exchanger is used to further reduce the temperature of thebiodiesel product 20 from approximately 85° F. (30° C.) down toapproximately 65-75° F. (about 18-24° C.), with about 70° F. (22° C.)being preferred, by transferring heat into a chilled fluid recirculationloop, such as a solution of glycol and water. The minimum final cooledtemperature should be no less than 40° F. (4° C.), such that the naturalsaturated fats of the oil do not crystallize.

At the conclusion of the cooling stage(s) 22, cooled biodiesel productis sent to a filter feed surge tank 26, as indicated by arrow B, for asufficient time to allow the impurities and contaminants to solidify andprecipitate in the form of particulates. Typically, the residence timein tank 26 is approximately 1-1½ hours. However, persons skilled in theart would readily appreciate that the biodiesel product may remain inthe tank for shorter or longer periods of time depending upon a numberof factors, including degree of impurities in the product, amount ofproduct, degree of purity desired, convenience factors, etc. Dependingupon the volume of the tank 26, the tank may be insulated orrefrigerated to maintain the temperature of the biodiesel product.

After the sediments have formed in the biodiesel, the biodiesel productis transferred to a body feed tank 28, as represented by arrow C,wherein a filter aid from a feeder 30 is added to the biodiesel (arrowD), with about 0.1-0.25% by weight filter aid being preferred. Personsskilled in the art would readily understand that more or less filter aidmay be added based on a number of factors, including source offeedstock, degree of filtration desired, convenience, cost, etc. Onepreferred filter aid is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth ischaracterized by high porosity, in that up to 85% of the volume ofdiatomaceous earth is made up of tiny inner connected pores and voids.Thus, diatomaceous earth has a high adsorption capacity, up to 100% ofits weight in liquid, while still exhibiting properties of a dry powder.An agitator may be provided in the tank 28 to facilitate the mixing ofthe biodiesel, sediments, and diatomaceous earth into a slurry. Otherconventional filtration materials may also be used instead of or inaddition to the diatomaceous earth in this step, including sand, silica,or other finely graded materials. Such filtration materials are wellknown to persons skilled in the art, and include silica (of variousgrade sizes, and either inert or chemically activated), clay (such asacid-activated bleaching clay), cellulose, mined and milled volcanicdeposits, minerals of all types (including perlite), and magnesiumsilicate (such a Magnesol sold by the Dallas Group).

Entrained biodiesel mist in the tank 28 may be removed by a demister 32(arrow E) which in turn is connected to an external vent 34 (arrow F).Such mist droplets may be present in the air vapor exhaust which isvented during the filter blow-down and cake drying steps (describedbelow), and preferably is removed via the demister 32 or otherconventional means.

The biodiesel slurry is then piped to the filter 36 (arrows G and H) forremoval of the particulates. Preferably, the filter 36 is a pressureleaf filter whose mesh screens have preferably been precoated with asimilar media as that used in the filtration step. Other types ofsuitable filters for this step include, but are not limited to, pressurefilters such as tube or candle filters, horizontal pressure filters, orfilter presses. The diatomaceous earth or other filtration materialpreviously added to the bulk biodiesel acts as a body feed that allowsfor the buildup of a filter cake on the leaves of the filter 36, therebyeffectively removing the sediment in the biodiesel at the sub-micronlevel, while allowing the liquid biodiesel to pass through the cake witha minimal pressure drop. With a body feed addition of 0.1-0.25%diatomaceous earth by weight of biodiesel feed, for example, the filter36 should be expected to run from 4 to 12 hours before cleaning isrequired. Cleaning of the filter 36 is accomplished using any convenientmethod known in the industry. Other filtration equipment using differenttypes of media may also be utilized, such as carbon, activated charcoal,cloth or fabric (made of natural or synthetic materials), and ionexchange resin beads.

After the biodiesel product passes through the filter 36, quality may betested. If the quality is insufficient, the product can be redirected tothe tank 28, as indicated by arrow I, with further mixing withfiltration material from the feeder 30 and further filtering through thefilter 36.

In one series of preliminary tests utilizing 0.2% or less, by weight, ofdiatomaceous earth with biodiesel at a temperature cooled to at least100° F. (38° C.), the pressure leaf filter 36 reduced water and sedimentfrom the biodiesel product to less than 0.01% by weight. The testsimply, and conservatively support utilization of diatomaceous earth feedrate of about 186.6 grams/minute, with a biodiesel feed rate ofapproximately 554 pounds/minute to the filter 36 (i.e., about 0.019%diatomaceous earth body feed).

An initial filtration run was conducted for about 6 hours at the rate of540 pounds/minute so as to result in approximately 197,000 pounds ofbiodiesel product being fed to the filtration assembly 36. Sedimentand/or floaters for this period were noted as being absent altogether.Pressure loss across the filtration assembly 36 was noted at about 0.8psi. After shutdown of the vertical leaf filter 36, draining, and3-minute blow down, samples were obtained, with outstanding tests forthe residual biodiesel oil, however, the “cake” was characterized as“dry”.

Clean biodiesel product exiting the filter 36, and which does not needto be refiltered via line I, is then directed to a filtrate receiversurge tank 38, as indicated by arrow J. Tank 38 is optional, andprovides for production control. The clean biodiesel is then directed toa final product filter 40, as indicated by arrow K. In one embodiment,the filter 40 may be sock filters, which remove any final particulates,including diatomaceous earth, in the biodiesel product. This final steppolishes the biodiesel to final clarity and removes any residualdiatomaceous earth or filter cake that may have passed through the meshscreens of the leaf filter 36. The polished biodiesel is sent to theappropriate storage tank 42 (arrow L) for certification and shipping.

Periodically, the leaf filter 36 must be cleaned. Cleaning or changingthe pressure leaf filter 36 consists of taking the filter off-line,removing the liquid from the vessel, blowing the filter cake dry withair or nitrogen from a source 37 to minimize the loss of biodieselproduct in the spent filter cake, and then discharging the dry filtercake from the screens. The filter 36 should be cleaned after a pre-setperiod of time, and when excessive pressure drop across the filter isnoted during the operation. After cleaning, the filter 36 must berecharged with filtration material on the mesh leaves. Such rechargingcan be accomplished by circulating the biodiesel/filtration materialslurry from a precoat feeder 44 which supplies filtration material to abiodiesel precoat tank 46, as indicated by arrow M. The slurry in theprecoat tank 46 is then circulated through the leaf filter 36, asindicated by arrows P, H, and O until the filter leaves are sufficientlycoated. Then, the normal filtration of biodiesel from the body feed tank28 may continue. The slurry in the precoat tank 46 may also be ventedthrough the demister 32, (discussed above) as indicated by arrow N.

The leaf filter pressure depends on numerous factors, such as equipmentsize, piping and flow parameters, and should be set according to thermanufacturer's design specification. A pressure relief line (arrow Q) isprovided to divert biodiesel from the leaf filter 36 back to the bodyfeed tank 28 in the event of over pressure.

Periodically, the heat exchangers 24 need cleaning. In other industrialapplications of heat exchangers, multiple heat exchangers have been usedso that the cooling process may continue during the cleaning operationby shutting down the one heat exchanger while using the other heatexchanger. In the present invention, cleaning of the heat exchangers 24does not require a shut down of one exchanger for cleaning while theother heat exchangers operate. Rather, cleaning is quickly and easilyaccomplished using a clean-in-place procedure by shutting off the flowof cooling fluid for a short period of time to the heat exchangers,while continuing to run the hot biodiesel product 20 through the heatexchangers, and then recycling the hot biodiesel through a recycle line48, as indicated by arrows R and S. By running the hot biodiesel throughthe heat exchangers without cooling, any sediment buildup in theexchangers is dissolved in approximately one minute, or less, andthereby returns to suspension in the biodiesel product. After theexchangers 24 are cleaned, the coolant flow is restored to theexchangers 24 for the continued cooling of the biodiesel product 20, asdescribed above.

It is understood that the various lines shown in FIG. 2 include valvesand gauges for controlling and monitoring the flow of biodiesel duringthe cold filtration step 14.

The filtered and cleaned biodiesel may be tested to determine itsquality, though such testing is not a required step in the coldfiltration process.

One test method used to qualitatively determine filtration effectivenessand remaining sediment level in the finished product is to replicate theproblematic storage and transportation conditions. This is achieved inthe lab by cooling a 100 mL sample to 40° F. (4° C.) for 16 hours, thencentrifuging the sample (per ASTM D-2709 test method) while still coldand visually inspecting the presence of sediment. The target productquality will have no visible sediment resulting from this test method.Alternatively, a sample can be allowed to freeze completely bysubjecting it to 30° F. (−1° C.) or colder for 48 hours or more, thenallowed to return to room temperature (approx. 75° F. or 24° C.). Thesample is centrifuged as before and visually inspected for sediment. Inall cases, the final product should be bright and clear with no visiblesediment.

A more formalized test method was implemented in the State of Minnesotato “determine the mass of particulate contamination in a biodiesel fuelby filtration”. This test method is a modified version of ASTM D-6217and involves a cold soak of a 300 milliliter sample to 40° F. for 16hours, followed by a natural warming to ambient temperature (70° F. or21° C.), prior to filtering through a special lab apparatus. Technicalstaff on the National Biodiesel Board facilitated the modifications ofthis test method. All biodiesel fuel sold in Minnesota must pass thistest with a filtration time of less than 360 seconds per therequirements of specific customers. Experience with this test has shownthat the specification limits may not be adequate in identifying orpreventing potential field problems, as either filtered or unfilteredfuels have easily passed this test.

Experience suggests the type and quality of the feedstock oil that isused to produce the biodiesel has an impact on the quantity and natureof sediment formed. Biodiesel made from refined and bleached soybean oiltends to form sediment more readily when exposed to instantaneouscooling. Biodiesel made from less processed soybean oil (such asdegummed or deodorized) tends to require prolonged exposure to coolingtemperatures before sediment will form. This time and temperaturedependency on sediment formation could result in different fieldexperiences with unfiltered fuel. However, it is noted that regardlessof the feedstock oil used, the cold filtration process described aboveis successful at removing sediment-forming materials.

The invention has been shown and described above with the preferredembodiments, and it is understood that many modifications,substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intendedspirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seenthat the present invention accomplishes at least all of its statedobjectives.

1. A method for removing impurities from biodiesel, comprising:converting a feedstock into biodiesel having a temperature exceeding 98°C.; cooling the biodiesel to a temperature range sufficient to formparticulates of impurities; and filtering the cooled biodiesel to removethe particulates.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereby the biodiesel iscooled to a temperature of less than about 38° C.
 3. The method of claim2 whereby the biodiesel is cooled to a temperature of between about4-38° C.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cooling step is performedin multiple stages using a series of heat exchangers.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 further comprising periodically cleaning the heat exchangers byrunning un-cooled biodiesel through the heat exchangers withoutsupplying cooling fluid to the exchangers.
 6. The method of claim 4wherein a first cooling stage reduces the biodiesel temperature toapproximately 93-105° C., a second cooling stage further reduces thebiodiesel temperature to approximately 26-33° C., and a third coolingstage further reduces the biodiesel temperature to at least 18-24° C. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein the filtering step includes multiplestages.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein a first filtering stageincludes the addition of an adsorbent to the biodiesel.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 whereby the adsorbent is selected from the group consisting ofdiatomaceous earth, silica, sand, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The methodof claim 9 wherein the adsorbent is diatomaceous earth.
 11. The methodof claim 10 wherein the diatomaceous earth is between 0.1% to 0.25% byweight of the biodiesel.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the firstfiltration stage includes a leaf filter.
 13. The method of claim 7wherein a second filtration state includes a sock filter.
 14. A methodfor improving the quality of biodiesel fuel, comprising: pretreating asupply of triglycerides to remove impurities; converting thetriglycerides into methyl esters and glycerin; cooling the methyl estersto a temperature of less than about between 38° C. so as to formparticles of non-methyl esters; and then filtering the methyl estersthrough at least one filter to remove the non-methyl ester particles andthereby produce improved biodiesel fuel.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein the cooling is accomplished in a series of heat exchangers. 16.The method of claim 14 wherein the filtering is accomplished through aseries of filters.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising addingan adsorbent to the methyl esters after cooling and before filtering toform a slurry.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the adsorbent isdiatomaceous earth.
 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the slurry isfiltered through a leaf filter to remove particles from the biodiesel.20. The method of claim 19 wherein the biodiesel is further filteredthrough a sock filter to remove particles.
 21. The method of claim 14further comprising winterizing the filtered methyl esters.
 22. Themethod of claim 21 further comprising fractionating the winterizedmethyl esters.
 23. The method of claim 14 wherein the methyl esters meetASTM D6751 specifications or greater before cooling.
 24. An improvedbiodiesel production process, comprising: processing triglycerides toproduce biodiesel; cooling the biodiesel with at least one heatexchanger so as to precipitate out particulates; filtering the cooledbiodiesel to remove the particulates; and periodically cleaning the heatexchanger by passing the uncooled biodiesel through the heat exchangerwithout supplying coolant to the heat exchanger.
 25. The process ofclaim 24 further comprising restoring coolant flow to the heat exchangerafter the cleaning step and recycling the biodiesel used for cleaning tothe heat exchanger for cooling.
 26. The process of claim 24 furthercomprising adding an adsorbent to the cooled biodiesel prior tofiltration.
 27. The process of claim 26 wherein the adsorbent isdiatomaceous earth.
 28. The process of claim 24 wherein the filteringstep utilizes a pressure leaf filter.